PM today joins businesses to chart next course for economy

A government-business conclave in Dhaka today is expected to chart next course of action through direct conversation with the premier to advance the country fast forward, organisers say.

Business to brass at the meet will request the government, in particular, to provide uninterrupted supplies of power and gas for maintaining continuous productivity in industries, because recent energy shortages slowed the wheel of economy.

Addressing a press conference Friday at the apex trade body's office, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Md Jashim Uddin said the conference, titled 'Business Conference on Building Smart Bangladesh', will focus on the private sector's role in building the aspired smart Bangladesh.

Foreign investors, top corporate, sector-based associations, and top business leaders, general body (GB) members from chambers and associations of the FBCCI are scheduled to join the meet.

"The business community will have the opportunity to directly express their thoughts and expectations from the government in building smart Bangladesh," he said.

Hopes rise high that the private sector will get the right directions for working together with the government through the business conclave.

The apex trade-body chief further said the top business leaders of the country would get an opportunity to directly talk to the head of government and confide to her what it takes to drive Bangladesh onto higher trajectory of development in pursuit of the theme vision.

"We hosted the Bangladesh Business Summit 2023 to showcase Bangladesh's trade and investment potential to the world. Top business leaders and experts from home and abroad joined the summit and expressed their thoughts on building smart Bangladesh," he mentioned to underline their unflagging endeavors.

The FBCCI is publishing a book capturing the suggestions, recommendations, and policies discussed during the summit.

He said the federation would hand over the book to the prime minister at the Saturday meet and also distribute the book to the relevant ministries of the government later.

Asked whether the businessmen from today's conference will lend their support to the Sheikh Hasina government during the upcoming election as they did during the elections in 2014 and 2018, he replied: "Businessmen of all tiers of the country will join the conference and then we will see the condition."

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman are also scheduled to attend the programme as special guests at the meet at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital.

Former FBCCI president AK Azad, FBCCI senior vice-president Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, vice presidents MA Momen, Salahuddin Alamgir and Md. Habib Ullah Dawn, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh Md. Mahbub ur Rahman, FBCCI directors, and other business leaders were present at the press conference.

talhabinhabib@yahoo.com